LIPA’s original restoration estimates ranged from seven to 10 days, though particularly hard-hit communities could take longer, LIPA spokeswoman Elizabeth Flagler said on Wednesday. As of Tuesday, the utility had restored power to 110,000 customers, with 829,500 still without electricity. LIPA has more than 3 million customers Island-wide.

The utility hired 5,000 linesmen who were working “around the clock and will continue to do so until everybody has power,” LIPA’s statement read. “An effort of this magnitude requires assistance from other companies off Long Island. We brought crews here before the storm and more are arriving every day.”

On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo secured an additional 1,900 linesmen, who were on the way to Long Island.

But, LIPA noted, “Unfortunately, it’s a challenge to gain access to additional assistance because the enormity of Sandy has strained the resources of utilities in its path.”

According to the utility, homeowners should never approach a live wire, which should be reported immediately to the utility at (800) 490-0075. If you have power restored and then lose electricity again, Flagler said, you should call that same number to report the second outage.

Insurance: what

you need to know

Homeowners who were flooded should contact their insurance agents as soon as possible. Flood insurance is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the insurance companies.

On its website, FEMA listed the procedures that homeowners should follow when filing flood claims.

When calling to submit a claim, homeowners should be prepared to give their policy numbers, telephone numbers and email addresses at which they can be contacted. You must file a claim within 60 days of being flooded.

An adjuster should contact you within a week after you have called to file a claim, according to FEMA. Your adjuster will need evidence of damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate. FEMA suggests that you:

• Take photographs of all damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage and standing floodwater levels.